Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 URP2 Manufacturer. System Requirements. Min RAM Size 256 MB. . Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 2 CDs CD NR 16 643 SN: C4BH3-P4J7W-9MT6X-PGKC8-J4JTM. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 (c) Microsoft 2 CDs SN: BGBHP-VGPP7-QHTXB-TPV36-CK8T8 16 544.
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Windows XP Media Center was the most demanded edition before Windows 7 due to its powerful features. Microsoft released it in October 2001 in various editions. Windows XP Media Center Edition is one of them. The basic features are the same in all editions, but this edition has some innovative features.
This edition was designed to serve as a home-entertainment hub. It was the very first time that Microsoft launched it as a separate edition of Windows. In later versions, it was included in Windows editions. Ultimately, Microsoft discontinued it in Windows 10.
Related: Windows XP Home ISO
Download Windows XP Media Center Edition
XP Media Center Edition 32-bit
Download Requirements
- 6GHz processor
- DirectX 9.0 hardware-accelerated GPU
- 256MB RAM
- Hard Disk Space: 5GB
- Display: Super VGA (800 x 600)
Methods to Create Windows XP Media Center Bootable USB (Installation Guide)
Before moving to the installation guide, let me explain how to create a Windows XP Media Center bootable USB. I will list here some easy methods. It’s up to you which method you want to use.
Method # 1: Easy USB Creator 2.3.1 application (Free)
This simple app supports Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, 8 10 and Windows Server all editions. But, download “.NET Framework 2.0 or above” from Microsoft’s official site to use this tool. It quickly converts the ISO image into a bootable USB drive. Follow the instructions below to start with it.
Connect a USB flash drive with the PC.
Download the ISO file of Windows XP Media Center from the above section.
Now, click here to download the Easy USB Creator 2.3.1.
Double-click the “.exe file” to install it.
Here, open the tool.
It displays an icon like “…” this with the ISO file option. Select this sign to add the path of the Windows XP ISO file.
Next, you will see “Destination Drive.” Select a drive where you want to save the “executable file” and click “Start.”
The tool will start converting the ISO image into a bootable file. Within a minute, your bootable USB is ready. Move to the installation guide.
Method # 2: Bootable USB/DVD of Zipped Windows XP ISO
- Since you have a zipped Windows XP ISO file, download 7-Zip Extractor. It will extract the files from the zipped folder.
- Go to the above section to download ISO file. Once it is downloaded, double-click the ISO image to extract files.
- Now, burn them into a bootable Windows XP ISO DVD/USB flash drive by using the above tool.
- Your bootable DVD/USB flash drive is ready now. You can use it to install Windows XP on your desired system.
- Move to the installation guide.
Method # 3: Bootable USB/DVD via USB Creator 2.0 (Microsoft’s Tool)
- USB Creator 2.0 tool is Microsoft’s official tool to convert the ISO image into a bootable USB/DVD.
- Download it from there and follow the instructions below.
- Connect the USB to your PC.
- Download the ISO file from the above section.
- Select USB/DVD to save the ISO image.
- Now, open the tool “USB Creator 2.0” and select “Browse” to locate the ISO file.
- Below this option, there is “Destination Drive.”
- Select the USB drive from here.
- Now click the “Create USB” option at the bottom of the tool. It will start converting the ISO image into the Bootable USB.
Installation Guide
(First, enter in BIOS to enable the option “Installation from USB”.)
- Reboot system and press “Del” to enter BIOS. (If your system is showing any other key, like F1, F2, press it.
- Select “Advanced BIOS settings” by using Up/Down or Right/Left arrow keys.
- Press “USB as the primary boot device” and “F10” to exit BIOS.
- Now, connect your bootable USB to the system and restart it.
- First, select the PC version. Mostly it is 32-bit.
- Select “Install from USB” and click “Next” from there.
- The system starts copying files from the USB drive.
- Make partitions of the hard disk drive by assigning a relevant volume to each partition.
- Select a partition where you will save Windows XP Media Center Edition.
- First, it collects information.
- Now, the system installs the Dynamic Updates.
- Then, it shows that it’s preparing installation.
- Ultimately, the installation is finalized.
- Wait until the installation process is over. It may take about 40 minutes.
- Meanwhile, the PC restarts several times. Don’t interrupt the installation process.
- Now set the time and date according to the geographical location.
- Enjoy using Windows XP Media Center Edition.
Windows XP Media Center Edition Features
This edition supports CD/DVD video burning.
It is compatible with Media Center Extenders.
Windows XP Media Center Edition has upgraded version 10 of Windows Media Player with Windows Media Format Runtime 9.5.
Royale Theme is an exclusive feature of this edition that’s not included in other editions of Windows XP. It is enabled by default.
Microsoft Plus brings Digital Media Edition components for users. New applications like Audio Converter, CD Label Maker, Party Mode, and Dancer have been added to it.
It brings SoundSpectrum’s G-Force as one of the music visualizations.
Lots of attractive screensavers and themes have been added to it from Microsoft Plus.
This version of Windows XP supports Xbox 360, DVB-T broadcast and ATSC tuner cards.
It has a media player to watch and record TV programs.
You can run photo slideshows on it.
It supports MP3 and MP4 music files.
Unlike the rival commercial DVR products, Media Center edition offers free TV guide services.
You can backup in Windows XP Media Center by using the standard Win2k backup program.
It supports dynamic disks while other editions of this OS don’t support it.
Windows XP Media Center Edition supports two processors.
It has a remote assistance feature to troubleshoot problems. You can access a remote desktop by using it.
Now, access any system remotely by using a Terminal Services session. It’s highly beneficial to access data from a remote computer.
It supports Windows 98 and Windows Me programs. You can upgrade from both Windows OS to Windows XP Media Center Edition.
It also supports Win2K and NT.
It supports IP Security, Client Services for NetWare, SNMP and Network Monitor.
My co-worker Krishnan is truly the gadgeteer. He has more techie stuff than anyone I've ever known, including myself. He is also an expert on all things HD and Media-y. So, I asked him 'should I buy a Media Center PC or build?' I had picked out a lovely $2500 system.
UPDATE - June 2005: Make sure your motherboard and case match. If you click on the D6 link below, be aware that depending on stock on hand Newegg.com may offer you a 'similar' motherboard. For one reader they recommended an ATX mobo and Micro-ATX and that's not cool. Also, while note that the Ahanix D6 is not the 601. I currently recommend the LARGER standard ATX Ahanix 601. Make sure you measure as some of these cases are pretty deep.
He said that he just built one from scratch for around $1500. Here's what he did:
This system is totally HD ready, and Krishnan said he taped 11 hours of 1080i SuperBowl content into about 43gigs without a hitch. He's using it as his primary PVR now.
Does anyone know if you can somehow 'coerce' or upgrade (laterally?) Windows XP Pro into being a Media Center machine? Perhaps my existing main machine (with specs better than these) could do double duty, without reinstalling, etc.
About Scott
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Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.